Enzo Maresca's position as Chelsea's head coach is under increasing scrutiny, with his job potentially on the line if results don't improve significantly in January. The Italian manager, who took the reins at Stamford Bridge at the start of the season, is facing mounting pressure after a string of disappointing performances that have seen the Blues win just one of their last seven Premier League games.
Chelsea's recent form has been a cause for concern, with the team dropping out of the title race and slipping to fifth place in the league standings. A 2-2 draw at home against Bournemouth, in which the home fans booed the team, has amplified the sense of unease surrounding Maresca's leadership. The team is currently 15 points behind league leaders Arsenal.
Adding to the pressure, Maresca made cryptic comments after the victory over Everton, stating that he had experienced his "worst 48 hours" at the club and felt unsupported. These remarks reportedly baffled Chelsea's management and have strained his relationship with the hierarchy.
January presents a critical period for Maresca to turn things around. Chelsea faces a challenging fixture list, including matches against Manchester City, Fulham, Brentford, Crystal Palace, and West Ham. They also have Champions League fixtures and a League Cup semi-final against Arsenal. A failure to improve results in these games could lead to Maresca's dismissal.
Despite the possibility of bolstering the squad in January, Chelsea may opt for a quiet transfer window. The club's priority is to strengthen the defense and central midfield, with the team seen as over-reliant on Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez. However, major signings are more likely to occur in the summer windows of 2026 and 2027. The club has been monitoring young talents like Konstantinos Karetsas and Djylian N'Guessan.
Several players have been linked with Chelsea, including Castello Lukeba and Marc Guéhi. The club may also consider bringing back former player Antonio Rudiger from Real Madrid next summer.
Chelsea's owners have spent heavily on transfers since taking over in 2022. While improvements are desired in the center-back and forward positions, the club won their first two pieces of silverware since the Roman Abramovich era during the summer.
Maresca's future at Chelsea hinges on his ability to navigate the team through a demanding January schedule and deliver improved results. With the club's hierarchy reportedly concerned about the recent dip in form, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Maresca remains in charge at Stamford Bridge.
